NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State baseball team is set to host Western Illinois on Tuesday, March 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Duffy Bass Field in what will be the earliest home opener in school history. The game will be on ESPN3.Â
Previously, ISU has opened at home as early as March 15 (2014 vs Western Illinois, 1997 vs Columbia).Â
SERIES INFORMATION
Illinois State (3-6, 0-0 MVC) vs Western Illinois (2-6, 0-0 SUMMIT)Â
Day/Time:Â Tuesday, March 9 (6:00 p.m. CT)Â
City:Â Normal, Ill.Â
Field:Â Duffy Bass FieldÂ
Live Stats:Â http://statb.us/b/344754Â
TV:Â ESPN3 https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=43ef2457-d31b-4e99-bc61-5984d410d1af
PROJECTED PITCHER FOR ILLINOIS STATE
Jack Anderson (2021: 6.00 ERA, 6 IP, 2 K)Â
LAST TIME OUT
The Redbirds dropped three-of-four contest at SEMO over the weekend.Illinois State won the third game, 13-1.3rd-year freshman Sean Sinisko recorded a 7-inning complete game, allowing an earned run with 7 K's and 0 BB/HBP.Â
SERIES HISTORY
The Redbirds and Leathernecks have met 165 times in series history, most recently on March 27, 2018. ISU leads the series, 88-76-1. Illinois State has won three out of the last four contests. The 3/27/18 game saw ISU win, 8-4. Current Cleveland Indians prospect Owen Miller had four hits, including two doubles, an RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Current Kansas City Royals prospect John Rave had a two-hit, three-RBI, three-run performance that included a home run.Â
SCOUTING THE LEATHERNECKS
WIU is 2-6 in 2021 but won at 4th-ranked Louisville.The Leathernecks dropped games against MVC opponents Southern Illinois (x1) and Evansville (x3), but also edged Evansville on Saturday.WIU, which has yet to hit a home run in 2021, has been led by Trenton Bauer, who is hitting .379 with a team-best six RBI.Â
OH, SO CLOSE
Despite having lost six of nine games to start the season, the Redbirds were out-hit (10-8) for the first time this season on Sunday at SEMO. Illinois State has the same or more hits as its opponents in eight of nine games in 2021.The'Birds have limited opponents to a mere .230 batting average while hitting .289.Â
REIGNING CHAMPS
The Redbirds are technically reigning champions of the Missouri Valley Conference after splitting the conference title in 2019, ISU's third MVC title (2019, 2013, 2010).Â
Illinois State was picked to finish second in the MVC behind Dallas Baptist in the preseason poll.Â
For the latest updates on Illinois State Baseball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdBaseball) and Instagram (isuredbirdbaseball), and like the team on Facebook (Illinois State Baseball).Â
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